Hedlund and Barney In, Helbling and Johansson Out

Hershey Bears (35-13-5-5, 80 points)

at

Albany River Rats (26-25-2-2, 56 points)

Television: B2Networks

Radio: Bears Network (100.1 FM, 1490-AM, 960-AM)

Gametime: 7:00 PM ET

Hershey's roster will have some new faces when they travel to the Times Union Center in Albany to take on the River Rats Wednesday night. Gone are defenseman Timo Helbling, who was part of the Capitals' trade of Danius Zubrus to Buffalo, and Jonas Johansson, who was sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins on loan in exchange for Scott Barney (Pictured). The Bears will also acquired Andy Hedlund as part of the Capitals trade with the Ottawa Senators that involved former Hershey captain Lawrence Nycholat.
(Photo Courtesy of www.moosehockey.com)

Barney, a 6'4" 225 pound forward who will turn 28-years old next month, is a former 30-goal scorer in the AHL and has spent time in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings and the Atlanta Thrashers. In 40 games this season with the Griffins he has 4 goals and 8 assists to go along with 26 penalty minutes and a -1 defensive rating.

The 28-year old Hedlund has spent his entire season so far with the Binghamton Senators, where he played against the Bears as recently as this past Sunday's game at the Giant Center. In 56 games this season he has accumulated 6 goals and 21 assists to go along with 84 penalty minutes and a -6 defensive rating. The 6'2" 216 pound defenseman should provide Hershey with the veteran leadership they have lacked since losing Nycholat to the NHL in December.

Barney's career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995-96	Peterborough Petes	OHL	60	22	24	46	52	24	6	8	14	38
1997-98	Peterborough Petes	OHL	62	44	32	76	60	4	1	0	1	6
1998-99	Peterborough Petes	OHL	44	41	26	67	80	5	4	1	5	4
2000-01	Did Not Play	Ind	Statistics Unavailable
2002-03	Manchester Monarchs	AHL	57	13	5	18	74	--	--	--	--	--
2003-04	Manchester Monarchs	AHL	44	20	14	34	28	6	2	3	5	8
2005-06	Chicago Wolves	AHL	53	32	19	51	54	--	--	--	--	--
2006-07	Grand Rapids Griffins*	AHL	40	4	8	12	26
2006-07	Hershey Bears	AHL	Stats Unavailable
	NHL Totals		27	5	6	11	4

Hedlund's career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997-98	Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks	USHL	56	4	12	16	135	4	0	4	4	0
2000-01	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	38	6	6	12	64
2001-02	Trenton Titans	ECHL	2	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	6
2002-03	Binghamton Senators	AHL	59	1	7	8	48	10	0	0	0	0
2004-05	Binghamton Senators	AHL	75	2	13	15	103	6	0	2	2	25
2006-07	Binghamton Senators*	AHL	56	6	21	27	84
2006-07	Hershey Bears	AHL	Stats Unavailable

Trade Analysis So Far

To
Richard Zednik to NY for a 2nd Round Pick

Well you have to give General Manager credit, he once again got good value out of a spare part. Last year he traded Jeff Freisen to Anaheim for a 2nd round pick after acquiring him for a 3rd round pick over the summer. He pulled off the same manuever this season after acquiring Zednik from the Canadians for a 3rd round pick in the off-season. However, the last thing this team really needs is more draft picks. I would have liked to of seen the Caps try to pry center Robert Nielsson from the Islanders, even if it took a mid-round pick in addition to Zednik in order to complete.

ToFor
Lawrence Nycholat to Ottawa for Andy Hedlund and a 6th Round Pick

A move that will provide a boost to Hershey's blue line for their playoff run. Washington determined that they would not be able to pass Nycholat through waivers so they did the next best thing. In moving him on to Ottawa, they got a late round pick and a veteran defenseman that is already at the AHL level so they don't have to worry about losing him through waivers. Hershey will be grateful. Being that he's 28 and has yet to play in the NHL, tt's unlikely that he will see time with the Caps unless injuries force the issue. His career numbers:

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997-98	Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks	USHL	56	4	12	16	135	4	0	4	4	0
1999-00	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	36	4	2	6	58
2000-01	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	38	6	6	12	64
2001-02	Minnesota State U - Mankato	NCAA	37	5	10	15	48
2001-02	Trenton Titans	ECHL	2	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	6
2002-03	Trenton Titans	ECHL	13	1	2	3	14	--	--	--	--	--
2002-03	Binghamton Senators	AHL	59	1	7	8	48	10	0	0	0	0
2003-04	Binghamton Senators	AHL	80	4	19	23	108	2	0	0	0	2
2004-05	Binghamton Senators	AHL	75	2	13	15	103	6	0	2	2	25
2005-06	Krefeld Penguins	DEL	52	12	22	34	100	5	0	2	2	6
2006-07	Binghamton Senators	AHL	56	5	21	26	84

Two down, perhaps two to go in Zubrus and Heward. Stay tuned.

Would Nycholat Clear Waivers?

After the response I received from my article yesterday, this seems to be the burning question around both Washington and Hershey. First the facts:
(Photo Courtesy of Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Due to a rash of injuries to the Capitals defensemen, he was recalled on December 23rd to Washington. He preceded to fit right into the lineup and recorded 2 goals and 4 assists in his first 7 games. It was also evident that he was gaining the confidence of his coaches as his ice time continued to climb with each game. He reached a game high of 27:53 minutes in an overtime win over the division leading Atlanta Thrashers on January 6th.

Nycholat's downfall began in Washington's devastating 7-3 loss at the Florida Panthers on January 13th. In that game he was repeatedly exploited by the Panthers game plan that included a dump and chase attack followed by an intense forecheck. From that game on he was a -8 in the last 8 games he played in. The last game he dressed for was another devastating loss at Florida 6-3 on February 1st, in which he was on the ice for only 12:28. Since then he has been a healthy scratch for each of the Caps last five games. With Pothier, Erskine, and Muir close to returning, Nycholat's chances to crack the lineup would only diminish.

The debate now centers on what will happen to the 27 year old defenseman from Calgary, Alberta. Reporter Tim Leone brings up a good point in his article today in The Patriot-News. He seems to think that Nycholat would be claimed should he be subjected to waivers. He states:

"Nycholat is highly regarded in the Ottawa organization, which lost free-agent Pothier to Washington. He played for former Bears head coach John Paddock, an Ottawa assistant, with Hartford. He's also highly regarded by the New York Rangers, Hartford's parent. And Anaheim is looking to bolster defensive depth."

He's also highly thought of by Hershey Coach Bruce Boudreau who stated in the same article:

"Let's not forget, Lawrence Nycholat is the best defenseman in this league. Anybody else that clears to come down, I've got to believe, pales next to him. That's my guess. Then again, I'm a little prejudiced when I comes to Nychy."

Hershey fans on the popular message board AHLFans.net seem to think that there would be a chance that Chicago might put in a claim for him as well. If for no other reason than to keep him away from the Bears, who are currently trying to catch the Blackhawks' farm team, the Norfolk Admirals, for 1st place in the East Division.

All of these factors are most likely contributing to the reason the Capitals have not made a move yet with Nycholat. While his value in the NHL may be questionable, there is no debating the fact that he is a valuable commodity in the AHL. As a former captain of the Bears this season, he was a key factor during their Calder Cup championship run last season. His presence with Hershey would go along way in helping their chances to repeat this season.

Morning Thoughts

• I hope losing games like this, not only because of the way they played, but also because of the team they lost too, puts a sour taste in their mouth like it does to me.
  
• Kolzig, in a stand up act as always, took the blame for the loss. He did not play up to his standards, but if the Caps want to be a playoff team they can not always count on Kolzig to save the day in order for them to win. A better defensive effort would've helped.
• Speaking of the defense can you guess who has led the team in minutes the past 4 games? None other than Lawrence Nycholat who appears to be here to stay. Yesterday was also his 10th game of the season since being recalled to the Capitals meaning that if he were to be sent down to Hershey he would now need to pass through waivers. Not going to happen.
• Brian Pothier has been a negative +/- player in 6 of his last 9 games. Not a good trend.
• Sill haven't been able to find out any information on when John Erskine or Bryan Muir will be back. When they do come back the Caps will be faced with some serious roster issues. Somebody will be on their way out. Jamie Heward seems to be the likely man.
• It was good to hear from reports yesterday that Richard Zednik had a good practice with the team in the afternoon. He seems to be ahead of schedule on his recovery from a severe groin injury. Look for him to return around the all-star break.
• Brian Sutherby won 10 out of his 13 faceoffs last night. Impressive.
• Is it me or has anyone else not noticed Kris Beech in the last few games? After a hot December he seems to be reverting back to his AHL form.
  
• Alexander Semin is now tied for 7th in the NHL in goals with 24. Can we say all-star?

Down on the farm:
The Hershey Bears have signed Kyle Wilson to an AHL contract for the rest of the season. Wilson, a four-year standout for the Colgate University, scored 23 goals in 39 games during his senior season in 2005-06. He scored one goal in seven games with San Antonio (AHL) earlier this season, and also skated with South Carolina (ECHL), scoring three goals in five games. Since being recalled from the Stingrays on December 1, he has compiled nine goals and nine assists for 18 points for the Bears, including two goals in his Hershey debut December 2 vs. Manitoba. He compiled points in eight straight games from December 20 to December 31.

The Bears will try to end their season long 3 game losing streak tonight when they travel to Binghamton to take on the Senators. Game time 7:05 PM. Visit www.hersheybears.com to watch the game live via b2networks.

The South Carolina Stingrays visit the 1st place Florida Everblades tonight at 7:30 PM. The Stingrays are currently in 4th place in the South Division with a record of 19-14-0-2, 40 points. Visit www.stingrayshockey.com to watch the game live via b2networks.

Capital Fanatic